Day Three Hundred and Seven - Cabin Bistro

Dear all,

Deidre and Vince are up in Collingwood for the weekend, HURRAY! It is an absolute joy to have them to stay. We celebrated their visit, along with a record week for Darren, with a bottle of Veuve Cliqout and mulled over where we would eat for dinner.

We decided to try out the new Cabin Bistro, that has just opened up [a stone throw away] in the brand spanking new 'Cranberry Mews'. http://cabinbistro.com. Darren and I had tried to get their several times before but had been thwarted by their rather conservative opening hours. We decided to give it a go but arrived just in the nick of time at 9pm with the kitchen closing at 9:15.

The decor is pretty impressive; I liked the cottage-style doorway, chic bar and glorious balloon shaped lamps that hung above each table and felt like we were sitting in a Michelin-star Lava Lamp. The lights from the 'open' kitchen were a little bright and there was a strange 'empty' area in the middle of the restaurant that I am sure, should have housed a couple more [punter-pulling] tables.

The restaurant was still full when we arrived despite our tardiness so we sat at the bar and reviewed the menu while we waited. It is a fabulous bar and I could have sat there all night; I am plotting a night very soon with Karla to try out this feature!

We were then ushered to our table where we scanned the [impressive] menu whilst Vince took control of the wine list. Darren and I decided to share the Lobster Croquette for starters while Vince and Deidre took one of the salads. Both were EXQUISITE and D and I inhaled ours as a gorgeous bottle of Pinot Noir was being decanted into our glasses.

Next course: I went for the Coq au Vin ( on great recommendation from several people) and it did not disappoint. The Red Wine reduction was to die for; rich and decadent and the perfect complement to the chicken and mash.What a meal!

Darren had the trout which was delicate and sublime and Deidre had the beef tenderloin which was so succulent it gave me goose-bumps. Vince chose the pasta ( He is Italian so this would be the ultimate test) and he was also impressed. Different from Nono's pasta... but none the less, very tasty.

We finished off with a blueberry-tea brulee after being wooed by the waitress which was again, pretty extraordinary. I would most certainly recommend this place; to locals and visitors and it hopefully has the staying power that this is the first of many busy seasons.

It was a brilliant night and we were so pleased to have finally tried out the Cabin and to spend our evening with the amazing Vince and Deidre!